Blacks Flex Economic Muscles

ROCKLEDGE — County residents may see a lot of $2 bills and Susan B. Anthony dollars over the next several days as the NAACP sponsors an economic-awareness project.

The organization is encouraging blacks to use only those currencies for all of their purchases of goods and services today through Sept. 9.

''The purpose is to sensitize the community in reference to the black community's economic contribution to the community,'' said Clarence Rowe, president of the NAACP Central Brevard Chapter.

The NAACP wants merchants to see that blacks want their share of jobs and opportunities and will change their spending patterns to favor merchants who contribute to the growth of the black community.

Nearly 70 branches of banks and credit unions throughout the county have agreed to keep an ample supply of the denomina BLACKS, tions available to participants who want checks cashed or cash exchanged for the small bills and dollar coins. The participating branches will keep track of the amount of currency they hand out.

Rowe said he hopes all blacks in the county will participate in the nine-day program.

''If the community fails to participate, then it will dilute the project, and the project itself fails,'' he said. ''We're hoping those people can bear dealing with those $2 bills for a short time. When you spend that money and circulate that money, then people take an interest in building and developing in that community.''

The event is part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Fair Share program, which started in 1980, to encourage merchants to give blacks job and advancement opportunities in return for their for business.